A captain of the D.C. fire department was shot Saturday afternoon during an apparent attempted robbery, Metropolitan Police said.

Police officers responded to a call reporting gunshots heard in the 2000 block of Bruce Street in the Southeast section of the District shortly before 3 p.m. When they responded, they didn't find a victim -- and learned instead that the victim was at a nearby firehouse on Irving Street.

And they learned that the victim was himself a firefighter: in fact, a captain with the D.C. Fire and EMS Department. His name has not been released.

Captain Byron Hope of the Metropolitan Police said that the firefighter was the victim of an attempted robbery on Bruce, and was taken to the Irving Street firehouse for treatment by a fellow firefighter.

The captain is in fair condition and is expected to recover.

Police said the would-be robber fled on foot toward Alabama Avenue. They have limited identifying information, only saying that he was armed and wearing dark clothing. He may have been wearing a ski mask.

Anyone with information should call Metropolitan Police at 202-727-9099.